Winter 2022
“When you invest in women, you invest in a powerful source of global development.” Melinda French Gates The role of women as a multiplying factor is often underestimated. When supported and empowered, women are key contributors to the development of their families, their communities, and thereby society at large. To that end, the dual objectives of empowering women and building a better world are inextricably connected. By dedicating this year’s Philanthropy Letter to the theme Women and Philanthropy, we hope to shine a light not only on philanthropic efforts that help women, but also some of the women who themselves focus on helping others. In this edition, we are especially honoured to feature a keynote contribution by Her Royal Highness The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. Herself a lifelong philanthropist, many of her endeavors focus on the plight of women, both in the developing world as well as at home. Recently named Global Champion for the Fight Against Sexual Violence in Conflict by the United Nations, Her Royal Highness generously shares from her wealth of experience in this inspirational and deeply personal article. We also asked four female philanthropists in our network to share what they find most rewarding about their engagement. Their insights are a poignant reminder of why we participate in philanthropy. Our featured project this year unites the themes of women’s empowerment and climate change through capacity-building workshops in Nepal. This special project, supported by the Mangrove Foundation, makes the case that supporting women can have a widereaching impact. For many, philanthropy is not an individual but rather a family affair. In this edition, we explore the process of running a family foundation from conception to handover. Moreover, this article also shines a spotlight on a family foundation under our aegis, the Fondation Norbert et Poupette Graas-Lavie. For those eager to expand their philanthropy to include the next generation, this article is an invaluable source of inspiration. The end of the year is an opportunity to both reflect on our achievements and on the work that remains to be done. As we look towards the future, let us remember to consider those who are forgotten or left behind by development, so that we all may live safer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. We wish you a pleasant reading, Tonika Hirdman
2 Her Royal Highness The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg shares from her lifetime of philanthropic experience 4 Bringing the next generation into family philanthropy
5 Building a philanthropic legacy across three generations 6 Supporting women through agriculture 8 Female philanthropists reflect on the impact of their engagement